theblueskyofthedawn

[theblueskyofthedawn]

"I think I like natural minor best," Oly twirled a pencil between her fingers, thoughtful. "It feels the closest to, ah, for the lack of a better word, nature. To the wind, the sky, the greenery beneath your hands. And then!" she pointed the pencil towards the school, looming in the background like a watchful guard it was. "Then you can throw a proper dominant and return to harmonic minor, to order and structure. Tonic is the same, after all!"

Oly: *looks at the gap in her notebook for the lesson she was sick for, then at the absolutely incomprehensible textbook in resignation* Could I look at your notes on this one, please? Can't wrap my head around it...

Ah! Do you mean... hm, the class we share together on Advanced Music Theory? I hope you're feeling better, too, I haven't seen you around as much lately. If you'd like, I can walk you through some of it if the words on the pages aren't aiding you.

We went over how to use modes, the seven diatonic scales, to compose a song, touching on - ah, I like this concept—"faithfulness to the tonic." Makes it sound as if we're pledging ourselves to the music itself, doesn't it? The Dorian mode is unique in that it can be heard in many pieces of music and can be incredibly flexible. It's used in folk tunes and rock music, fun..! You can see all the patterns I wrote down.. here.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Prompt: vintage (with the meaning "taking something of the past to repurpose in present").

You know that the best stories never come up if you ask. Grown-ups get super frowny, or sad, or think you are up to something (you're not, you just like these stories!) and going to end as your predecessor, which, just, no! …or maybe yes, you have not decided yet, but if he grew up like you do now, you are starting to understand. Especially since you have to go to the eldest of them to hear, now – that generation is due to reincarnation these days, and not that many survived in the first place.

Still, stories about High-Cloud Quintet are the best! You just have to be sneaky about it.

Like right now.

– Love, you say? – Healer Lian chuckles, her eyes brightening up a little. She’s in a usual hurry of a check-up before returning to the sea – but your question lets her to pause a bit. – Oh, I never pursued it. It’s hard to find a worthy one, you know?

You think about Banxia’s story and nod. You wouldn’t want to get the short stick like her.

– But, – she continues, – I always admired your predecessor’s marriage.

His what.

– He was married?! – you exclaim, flabbergasted. – Why have I never heard of it?

– Ah, – now she looks ashamed, – it’s because his husband was short-lived. A classical setup for a tragedy! But they made it look effortless.

She sighs, dreamy:

– Master Yingxing – yes, that Master Yingxing – often sent gifts to His Highness, even in the middle of the war. An odd cycrane bringing snacks, a mechanical assistant bringing an ornament, a messenger additionally passing on a flower… Oh, which reminds me!

Healer Lian shakes her head, remembering, and then shows you a hand seal:

– This, – your hands tingle as her cloudhymn washes over you, – was His Highness’ invention for healing scraps and other small injuries long-lived species often overlook. You and me, – she laughs, – might not ever need it, but it’s an Aeonsend when working with Outworlders.

Her eyes crinkle:

– I was really lucky to share a healer tent with His Highness in one of the battles, so I saw its work first-hand, in practice…and that he was kind enough to teach me after.

She looks at you, and her smile gets even wider:

– You will be a great High Elder yourself, my Lady. You are worthy of his legacy.

You incline your head, unsure what to say to that. Isn’t this a dangerous thought?

– Don’t mind this old hag’s ramblings too much, – Healer Lian laughs again and taps your hand. – Better I teach this seal properly now, hm?

You nod, and decide that she has a point. It will be…your little secret.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Prompt: rain. Cloudhymn did not give the full control of the rain, but it sure could help.

Dan Heng had to learn that the hard way. Because sure, waters of the sea were always at Vidyadharas’ disposal, – calling to them was almost entirely instinctual, and he shuddered from the seal’s backlash for all of his youth, – but Alliance had no need for uncontrolled rains, so it never did in the depths of Shackling Prison.

So his first encounter with the rain in the flesh was quite memorable.

Not as memorable as finally being able to divert the water with a simple charm, Bailu giggling under his elbow the entire time, of course.

And even less than…

– Water sure does heed the clouds’ song, – Ren smirked, plopping his chin on Dan Heng’s head. The curtain of raindrops hugged their figures, effectively hiding them from the view of the street.

– Oh, hush, you, – Dan Heng lightly elbowed him in the stomach, – like you, of all people, are surprised.

– Not at all, – he agreed, shit-eating grin easily heard, but Dan Heng still felt the light tremors through the embrace. – Just didn’t think I’d experience this again.

Ah.

– Umbrellas exist for a reason, – he chided, lighthearted.

Ren unintelligibly grumbled something into his hair.

– But yes, – Dan Heng closed his eyes, smiling, and leaned back more, – I didn’t think so either.

Incessant splattering with ease swallowed them whole.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Prompt: xianxia.

Immortality is not a thing taken lightly, flippantly – you either work to maintain it, concentrate your core, every single day, or it fizzles out, careless, feeding the life in the world instead.

You don't regret unweaving yours for him, into him.

It's worth every single lash on your back, every single glare of your clan.

Your defiant stare doesn't waver because you know.

Somewhere, because of you.

He's still alive.

///

It was said that only war could bring an illustrious immortal leader of a Dan Clan out of the depths of his abode.

And oh how strongly the lands quaked when Clan Leader Shu did lure him so, maniacal laughter covering the field of distorted, deformed to enhance figures, taunting him with a precious hostage, trapping him for days.

Many, many prominent figures perished on that battlefield – Clan Leader Jing’s sacrifice might have ended Shu Hu’s life once and for all, but it’s Clan Heir Bai’s one provided a chance for him to strike true, and Maiden Jing’s frenzy ensured no soldier was left alive.

…

The less said of the Bai bastard’s fate, the better.

///

One good thing in being presumed dead – no one would look for you twice.

Yingxing set the hammer aside for today and went to shut down the smithy, humming to himself. Rich cultivator’s life suited him far less than this, he thought. Talismans he still tinkered with alongside his metals were the only remnant of his old life – and protected this village from stray ghosts just fine.

That was when he heard the commotion outside.

“Isn’t he gorgeous?” a girl sighed to her friend, and she wasn’t alone where, it seemed, everyone poured out of their huts to steal a glance at their guest.

Said guest just finished thanking the woman for her time, clearly disappointed yet still courteous, when Yingxing realized with a start how familiar he was, for all the unusual lack of finery.

“Feng-er?..”

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Prompt: celebrity.

It all started innocuously enough.

Yingxing was already pretty notorious among his colleagues, and for a good reason – if he didn’t dare to do any of his stunts to get his creations to the hands of who he envisioned when making them, even their superior quality would’ve been easily overlooked by supervisors and secretaries, too accustomed to long lifespans to see past the minuscule number of years under his belt to his explosive talent.

And those who did – tended to envy.

What those idiotic souls failed to consider, however, was how their preemptive gloating might backfire.

So when the response to the video of proudly presenting him a pile of scraps instead of proper materials wasn’t despair but a challenging smirk, coupled mere hours later with a video of a majestic metallic lion running errands all over Artisanship Commission, what the only reply could be?

Naturally, jade abaci exploded with cheers.

“That’s our master!” scant devoted apprentices crowed in delight.

“Clever reaction to foul play,” nodded Amicassadors between themselves.

“What else can you do?” people from all walks of life chorused in the commentary.

But what turned it all into an actual frenzy was a simple photograph, where the lion brought an exquisite filigree camellia to one very admired figure…

“I think, High Elder is lost for today, he-he,” the brave healer that snapped it wrote.

They did not yet know how right they were.

But will they learn?

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Prompt: cats.

Ren found them a good hour after he returned from the mission, which was impressive – Dan Heng messaged he wouldn’t mind waiting for him while he was still in the thick of the battle, and that was three hours ago at least.

– This cat isn’t a cat, right, – not turning his gaze away from the green eyes of his adversary, Dan Heng stated, flat.

– Well, he is right now, – Ren smirked now, leaning at the doorway. Elio meowed and waved his tail in greeting – also keeping the eye contact unbroken.

Which was doubly intriguing. Kafka usually was the only one to keep his interest for long enough, and even that didn’t span hours.

However, he just returned from the latest bloody errand on this fluffy butt’s behalf and wanted to rest in his boyfriend’s presence, Aeons be damned.

– But darling, I am better than the cat, – Ren barely managed to hold his tone as plaintive, and it clearly worked, for Dan Heng immediately looked torn.

– I can’t just let him win… – he murmured.

Luckily, Elio took pity on them.

Jumping right into his arms – Dan Heng almost dropped him in surprise, – he gently headbutted him, and then jumped over his shoulder before Ren, weaving between his legs on his way out.

His way of giving feline blessings.

And also promising to continue the match later.

– Come here? – Ren, contrary to his words, stepped closer and gathered Dan Heng in embrace himself, now that their audience departed.

– Welcome back, – a tad bit hesitant in the unfamiliar surroundings, Dan Heng nevertheless tugged him to the nearby couch, and they settled there, entwined and finally relaxed.

A good ending for a long day.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Prompt: marriage.

The most important promises are not spoken aloud.

Dan Feng closed his eyes, tuning Preceptor Fenghuan’s droning out. Discreetly, he pressed a cherished bundle, hidden in his sleeve, closer to himself.

Today, he thought. Today, or never.

Leather lovingly bent under his fingers, gold dug into his arm, and corals he painstakingly gathered and covered in enchantments pulsed where it was trapped between his flesh.

An old tradition he had no plans of explaining to his beloved.

(Yet, he knew he would cave before his inquisitive eyes.)

///

– Yingxing.

– Yes?

– Give me your hand.

With no hesitation and a disarming grin, he did.

– Going to pretty me up, High Elder? – he teased.

“You can say so,” Dan Feng’s glance seemed to say, as he fastened the bracer on his beloved’s arm. His eyes flashed with power, tying the spell web to him.

– Dan Feng? – Yingxing’s grin softened, and his lavender eyes sparkled in curiosity, taking in the gift.

Hastening to explain, Dan Feng quickly spoke:

– It’s a pair, – he turned away, hiding his palms in his sleeves. – If anything happens to you, I’ll know, – he paused and then inclined his head. – And you – if anything happens to me.

– But I don’t feel anything right now, – it wasn’t a question. Ever observant, Yingxing tugged on his sleeve: – Allow me?

Dan Feng’s next exhale ended up shaky.

– Are you sure? – “Do you know what you’re asking for?”

– Of course I’m sure, – a familiar arrogant grin blinded, giving such needed strength.

– Go ahead, then, – he pressed a second bracer into his hands.

Reverent fingers danced over his skin, and neither of them could contain a gasp when the charms connected.

Yingxing’s warmth burned his skin – from today, and forevermore.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Prompt: soulmates.

He liked to think their bond was forged in abundant flames of incessant Xianzhou’s wars all those centuries ago. Numerous nights spent together under thousands of shifting skies, finding their way back together at each and every turn.

A choice, where translucent tail hugged his arm both in dream and reality.

Nowadays, he rarely sleeps, infinite minutes slurring in the constant deluge of awareness, sprinkled between missions.

And yet, flashes find him anyway.

A helping hand that guides him through cooking rice the very first time. A peculiar flower that catches his eye (that he finds him by later). A skirmish with the Legion that he inadvertently finds himself in.

The worst of them, however, always double. Dimming before his own eyes, his retreating steps and viridian blade, covered in pungent, cloying blood.

He wouldn’t change it for the world.

///

In old dreams, his arrival was a blessing, a gift from the Aeons finally breaching the neverending dullness of his life, a falling star granting its wish in person. Myriads of tools that made no sense expertly wielded to make the most beautiful and most mundane of things.

A treasure that he had given all of himself and then some to keep – and still lost.

Now his visions are full of carnage, red-scarlet-crimson filling his vision until he cannot see anything else, broken bits of machines and creatures alike twitching in their last seconds.

And only sometimes, when he lets his exhausted eyes close after the worst battles, he sees his own disappearing back among it.

He’s afraid to know why. And yet, this bond is undeniably his.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Prompt: "Beauty and the Beast".

Unnamed didn't know how often he returned to that riverbank.

Something about the water itself soothed him, put him at ease, like a forgotten lullaby, a lover’s touch.

Returning day after day, he looked at his reflection until one more piece of his fragmented mind settled into its proper place.

///

Dan Heng, fresh out of Shackling Prison, wide-eyed and confused, stumbled upon him on pure accident.

Well, it would be better to say that he stumbled onto this planet on pure accident, because the course General charted for him in advance led to a far more established planet, a bustling IPC port – or so he read, anyway.

But a chance encounter with a stray asteroid had him crash-landing on this far, forgotten planet instead, so that was that.

Locals were friendly enough to teach him some basic survival skills – you wouldn’t need to cook in prison, would you – but once they saw his prowess with his spear, in exchange they asked for a favor of him.

There was a flower, growing deep in the forest by the riverbank, that was beautiful beyond belief. And before, old people said, some brave souls would’ve gathered them already, as it was believed to be the best gift to the apple of your eye, be it a beloved one or a child of your flesh. But some time ago a wild beast made their den nearby, scaring away all living beings, humans and animals alike.

And he, unmoored in unfamiliar surroundings, agreed.

///

A bloodied flower returned to the village. He did not.

///

“You dared to come,” a savage grin slashed across the wild man’s face, “so you will stay”.

///

Living in the wild suddenly suited Dan Heng, Cloud-Piercer that clashed with the wild man’s sword just as easily turning to complement it instead. His soul longed to travel, to run away further, but something in his companion stayed his hand. He learned so much just staying by his side – his hands could make so many small, but helpful things, and when those hands bled, his dreams brought to the forefront how to soothe the pain, make it better, his dormant power not feeling dangerous for once.

And the more days went by, the less he could imagine his life without him.

///

Many, many moons later, water brought clarity to them once more.

“It’s you,” the one once named Yingxing rasped. Memories old and new swirled, confusing and yet so clear, in his mind’s eye. “You found me again”.

“…I suppose I did,” Dan Heng’s smile was crooked and sad, waiting for the light’s of his immortal, ever-changing life decision. He wasn’t the one who committed the sin – and yet even then he knew that only the secondary consequences were regretted. “What would you do with me?”

…he didn’t want to heed her word.

“Stay by your side until the end of times, my Moon”.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Prompt: "Aladdin".

"Who calls for my aid among worthless mortals?" – gaining form for the first time in millennia, Baiheng tried to emulate the ceremonial terror, but pure devastation around made that a moot point.

The child didn't even have any strength to look startled.

"Miss, – his hollow eyes saddened her to no end. – Can you help me get revenge on them?"

Borisins' howls brought a derisive sneer on her face.

"Of course, little one, – she nodded. – Consider it granted".

High above them, starskiffs' engines roared to life.

///

"I don't need my wishes just granted, Baiheng! – Yingxing shook his head, exasperated. – I want to create things myself, earn it through and through".

"Oh, you will need tools, then! – she laughed. – Consider it granted".

In the heart of Zhuming, an ageing General thought that it was high time to take up a student again.

///

"Baiheng, – uncharacteristically, Yingxing looked troubled, occasionally turning his head to glance back towards the Vidyadharan palace. – I want to set him free. Can this be my wish?"

"Of course, silly, – she hoped the strain in her smile was not that noticeable. – Consider it granted".

Star years away, long deserted Ketu roared to life once more.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Ren:

Run, hide – you cannot escape me.

What right you believe you hold still?

Your life did not end in prison,

So I will attend you…

Your Grace, sins are not forgiven.

Last strike yet to be delivered.

Past life did not end in justice,

So you are my target…

Our tale is all but forgotten.

Fate's web is not ceasing knotting.

This life – neverending running,

So we…

Together:

…are to pay/live!

Dan Heng:

Though flame wasn't snuffed in darkness,

Old ties were dissolved, now harmless.

Yet chains only just exchanged.

So leave me alone!

Pitch black, far from ancient ocean,

Taught me danger of emotion.

Since I'm in a trap no longer,

You must let me go!

Chased off to the stars, unbound,

I know – I will find my ground.

Faint dreams do not power future:

We are free to grow!

[theblueskyofthedawn]

"Yinyue-jun, a spar?" Sword Champion tilted her head at him, her gaze calculating.

"My honor, Lady Jing," he inclined his head, old spear a touch too heavy in his hands.

The whole squadron watched their dance that stretched well into the night with hushed breaths.

///

"Yinyue-jun, care for a change of scene?" Baiheng grinned, throwing a spare bow his way.

He fleetingly smiled:

"I'll be in your care, then".

Needless to say, a lot more arrows ended in walls than in targets that day, but laughter filled the courtyard, and all was good.

///

"Dan Feng, can you teach this brat a bit? He's not listening to me, so maybe a different pace will suit him more," the woman frowned up at her student, his sheepish smile not fooling her one bit.

The High Elder nodded:

"If that's your wish, Jingliu," that caught the young man's attention, his face morphing into something between awe and fear. "Jing Yuan, correct? Show me what you know".

Neither kept count how many times the spear's point stopped by a throat or a heart that day.

///

"Yinyue-jun, spar with me?" Yingxing's eyes sparkled, mirrored in yet unfamiliar Cloud Piercer's glow, and Dan Feng startled out of his gratefully pained confusion. Jingliu already almost backed Jing Yuan into a wall behind his back, their sword and glaive matched in their brightness.

"Be ready to lose," he smirked, stomping down all emotions but this simple, childish almost joy of a shared gift, and lunged forward.

And if other three gave them a wide berth for the rest of the day, that's only for them to know.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Adepti did not know one another as closely, as intimately as many would expect.

Even at the height of their numbers, there rarely was more than a family for a peak, and although Jueyun Karst is a giant mountain range, tiresome to traverse for everyone but the most resilient of birds, it is not infinite.

And yet, in the days of joyful yore, she who will become a revered Streetward Rambler oftentimes was at the heart of gatherings of youth.

Her younger sister, the one who was yet to become Cloud Retainer, the most whimsy of them all, tended to play a host, her mountain the first among many curiously looking over the valley open to the sea.

Inviting those of the valley below in kind, if they wished to come.

Some did.

Guizhong's crystalline laughter settled over them like a golden tint of sunshine on the glass' rim, form unfurling from her snow-white fur.

Marchocius' steady paws soon followed her weasely ways, and even Morax of the not-yet-Tianheng Mount, revered by name alone but truly known for a few, stirred in curiosity.

Guqin melodies that she who will become Liyue Harbor’s Madame Ping woven around their merry gatherings held the promise of eternity.

She, herself, did not squander it.

Others had quite a mixed luck.

///

She looked over her dear friend's figure, bent over maps and strategies, clutching her polearm tight, overcome with longing.

"Soon," she thought. "After the war".

///

But for Guizhong "after" never was.

///

She had been in no hurry – didn't they have all the time in Teyvat? So what the reason was to rush, rather than savor each moment for what it was, anticipation for what will become in each glance?

…

So now, all that left to her was a tinkling melody from the convoluted contraption and a yawning chasm in the place of her heart.

///

She caught him rehearsing in the Jueyun Karst.

It was obviously, painfully self-taught, dizi handmade and uneven, fingers clumsy and notes cut off.

And yet.

And yet, she could clearly hear his longing spilling forth, calling for another's soul.

Like hers did, several millennia ago.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

"Rumor has it, Alchemist Lan has a habit of singing truly ancient elegies that even her fellow Vidyadhara rarely heard about. She says she learnt them from the fan she had ever since her rebirth…maybe that's why they are so cropped off, so snippety?

"Alas!

Countless souls extinguished, but will peace last?

Now we're protected with Arbiter's blessing, need trust it is just...

From the Plagues Author's hands take poisoned fruit,

Giving beloved one curse one could never refute".

[theblueskyofthedawn]

A teasing gift for @yyuangss as part of @favonius-library's Secret Santa~ -u-.

The line of diplomats, eager to greet the delegation from the illustrious Xianzhou Alliance, stretched far indeed, for all it tried to disguise itself as a disinterested gathering.

And yet General Jing Yuan glanced beyond the assembled crowd whenever he managed to demure and deflect the conversation to his colleagues.

What he was searching for?

You suppressed a sigh, pretending to idly swirl the drink in your glass.

Being noticed mingling was good for this outing, you supposed. Foolproof alibis were hard to come by, so any minute detail counted.

That didn’t erase the oppressive sensation of being watched.

Exchanging near-meaningless small talk, nods and smiles, you made your slow rounds over the hall.

You politely averted your gaze when it became clear that a peculiar blond that caught your eye was deep in tense negotiations with the Whistling Guild, if their Amicassador's fluttering fan, hiding her true expression, was anything to go by.

A shame. Lady Tingyun was not the one to miss a promising venture, even if it was this obscure.

A bit after, you allowed yourself to relax, laughing along with Idrilla's followers, each of them more earnest than the next.

One of them, dark ruby hair cascading past his hip, skillfully weaved a burgundy rose behind your ear, its thorns averted, hidden in your own locks, a little bite to your seemingly unassuming figure.

Later still, you finally gauged you stalled enough, and vanished into the corridors of the hotel, deep towards your objective.

And yet, just as you, to your growing dismay, found nothing…

The door behind you opened, and an amiable voice sent shivers down your spine: – Caught you.

General’s genial smile didn’t shift even for a fraction.

[theblueskyofthedawn]

(I suppose, a bit unfair of me, but I cannot bring myself to write more than those small buds of ideas. I am, however, still proud of them.)

Vision Hunt Decree&Reunions

Sneaking out of the victory feast was a piece of cake, with Beidou with her boisterous smirk attracting both Gorou’s and Her Excellency’s, and many others’ beside, attention to herself.

Finding the one he wished to see, however… (In the middle of the Inazuma’s Archon Quest, a little meet-up on Watatsumi.)

Investigation

Heizou never thought he would be seriously contemplating centuries-old stories, but here he was. (History dive into Niwa out of curiosity.)

Aged up&Dates

Being old didn’t dampen their adventurousness in the slightest. (Many years in the future, old married couple shenanigans.)

Deerzou+Foxuha&Thunderstorms

Thunder never let Kazuha sleep in peace. (Spontaneous midnight visits and conversations, youkai flavor.)

Honeymoon&Domesticity

Not much had changed upon returning to solid ground. (A callback to Day 3 of HeiKazuWeek2022, returning to Inazuma and settling into married life.)

Free day

Some days, Kazuha couldn’t shake the guilt that sneaked into his heart. (“Heizou deserves better than someone who’s never home”; making peace with loving someone with an incompatible lifestyle, Kazuha’s version.)

[theblueskyofthedawn]

Prompt: surprises&birthdays.

On the previously unremarkable mid-autumn day, Heizou wracked his brain for the possible occasion that could warrant such a delivery to his door.

Foreign flowers, just as innocuous as they were puzzling, pliantly lain in his hands, their blue and freshness soothing.

An inconspicuously looking card poked his palm, hidden between the stems.

“From bygone era

To present day, with meaning:

Entwine, oh grasses”.

Heizou chuckled, shaking his head, and set on finding a vase for this precious present to thrive.

He might ask and search around to ascertain why exactly Kazuha set it to arrive today, but he already had a solid hunch.

Well, at least he seemed to be having a good time in Sumeru. Heizou wouldn’t settle for anything less.

///

The next year, he almost anticipated the bouquet – and oh, did it not disappoint.

Tender pink of its petals settled under his careful hands.

Still simple, the card was heavily ornamented – must’ve been the local tradition.

“Through feat and ruin,

Withstanding pain and pleasure.

Oh, flows devotion”.

Heizou’s eyes crinkled with his smile.

“It is your birthday, not mine, you doof,” he thought, fond.

He really hoped Beidou arranged for a fitting feast in his stead.

And couldn’t wait for Alcor to grace Inazuma’s shores once more.